Independent homewares department store Gardiner Haskins is planning to move out of the old soapworks factory on Broad Plain, where it has been based since 1958.

The retail company, which says it is "safeguarding the business for the future" by implementing a restructure this year, will be moving its staff into the Brunel Rooms, where its current garden centre is based.

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According to Ben Allen, managing director of Gardiner Haskins, there are no plans to sell off the building immediately.

Gardiner Haskins Bristol Building (Image: Gardiner Haskins Facebook)

He said: “Our first task will be securing and maintaining [the building]. We are going to start looking for an alternative use for it but right now our absolute priority is the restructure and securing the future of the business."

“It could take several years to find the right final use for the site and the right development opportunity. We are really mindful that it is another area of responsibility that we have got.”

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Ben says that the retailer does not want to do anything "that is not sympathetic to the structure of the building".

He explained: “We want to find a scheme for this building that is also really good for the area, and we think in doing that we will be able to create jobs and economic activity around the site.”

Gardiner Haskins

In the short term, Gardiner Haskins is planning to maintain the site. It will also retain its car park.

He said: “There is no rush. We are getting professional advice but we have not made any decisions.

“It is going to be a complicated task. We are preparing in the short term to hold onto the site for a number of years should that become necessary if we can't get the right scheme. [The reason we are not selling it immediately] is that is just a really complicated thing to do."

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Gardiner Haskins move

Gardiner Haskins says it does not need the money from the sale of the building as it has cash in the bank, no debts and its pensions are in surplus.

Ben added: "We don't need to sell off the building. We would rather take our time.

"We don't [need the money] and what is really important for us is we will be trading next to this and whatever it is we have a really big vested interest in making sure its right, as well as all the responsibility that we feel like we are custodians of the building."